Distracted Tesla Driver Kills Motorcycle Rider While Driving Car “Auto-Pilot” Mode
A Washington State man is making headlines this week for causing a fatal distracted driving accident in the Evergreen State. According to local Washington State news, King 5, the man from Snohomish County, Washington, was driving a Tesla model vehicle on April 19 when he became distracted by his cell phone. The 56-year-old Tesla driver had his car on auto-pilot mode, and was behind a motorcycle rider heading east on state Route 522 east of Maltby, Washington. As the Tesla driver looked down at his cell phone, his car rolled into the motorcycle rider and collided with him. The probable cause statement in the fatal car accident indicates that the man was distracted by his cell phone and “the next thing he knew, there was a bang.”
The victim in the tragic and fatal distracted driving case has been identified as 28-year-old Jeff Nissen from Stanwood, Washington. Mr. Nissen is said to have been ejected from his motorcycle, due to the impact, and was, ultimately, pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Of Mr. Nissen, his sister Janessa Fagerlie said, “He was very outgoing, a very, very nice person…He just loved riding his bike everywhere, that was his pride and joy.” Fagerlie added of the fatal accident that killed her beloved brother, “I wish this had never happened…I wish people would really stay off their phones more.” Nissen’s brother, Matthew Hutchinson said of distracted driving accidents, “It can take someone’s life in a second, and you’re responsible for that. It’s nobody’s fault other than the person being distracted.” Hutchinson added, “You’re taking your life and everybody else’s life into your hands when you drive, and it needs to be taken seriously.”
At the end of the day, investigators determined that the distracted Tesla driver was not impaired at the time of the accident, however he was still criminally charged with vehicular homicide as a result of his admission that he had been distracted by his cell phone while driving while using the auto-pilot feature.
Justice for Victims of Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Palmdale
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but even with all the many awareness and safety campaigns urging drivers to keep their eyes on the road, tragic and fatal distracted driving car accidents happen, and innocent lives are lost. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident by a distracted driver in Palmdale, do not hesitate to learn about your rights and options under California personal injury laws. The experienced Palmdale car accident lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your car accident case and to see if they can help you get compensation due to you. There is a limited time to file a claim in Palmdale under California personal injury laws so do not hesitate to reach out now. Contact the experienced Palmdale car accident lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your case for free.
Source:
king5.com/article/traffic/traffic-news/tesla-on-auto-pilot-fatal-crash-motorcycle-snohomish-county-driver-says/281-52ae57e6-4950-4d4d-bbe6-7b2f6dbba5d4
